Amazing PHOTOS

**shawhighlander** · 13th March 09, 11:16 AM

Halo Gang,
I had an amazing opportunity to touch and see some antique Scottish artifacts from the 1800's. A friend of mine owned an antique store in the early 70's and brought back a few items on his travels to buy antiques in Scotland. As we drank scotch, I was regaled with story's about where these items came from, like:

THE TOBACCONIST SIGN: (c. early 1800's)

This hand carved sign was created using 4 oak boards and then painted. You see in his hand he is holding a tobacco pipe.

**shawhighlander** · 13th March 09, 11:24 AM

THE BAGPIPE DRONES: (c. early 1800's)

The banners are all made of satin hand stitched, some even containing gold thread.

Unfortunately, the Scot who sold my friend these pieces was not forthcoming to the origin of these pipe drones, so the history is a wee bit vague.

I believe the fittings are made from brass and contain hand engravings on each coupling of the drone.

**McMurdo** · 13th March 09, 11:29 AM

Those are amazing photos thanks for showing them.

**Cynthia** · 13th March 09, 11:37 AM

Oh wow! How fun to get to see that stuff. Thanks so much for sharing with us

**shawhighlander** · 13th March 09, 11:41 AM

THE HORSEHAIR SPORRAN: (c. early 1800's)

If you look in the inside, it appears as if the sporran is missing three of its tassels. Also, a name written in pencil is barely legible.

The back of the sporran was very well constructed, but the body was made mostly of a solid piece of thick leather and no real room to carry anything inside.

Here, the cantle is made from brass and contains hand-engraving for the design...beautiful workmanship.

This concludes my presentation. Hope you enjoyed it!
Slainte, Aye.

ith:

**McMurdo** · 13th March 09, 11:43 AM

Wow what a great sporran I love it.

**McClef** · 13th March 09, 11:47 AM

I rather liked the old tobacconists sign myself.

**Cynthia** · 13th March 09, 11:48 AM

I replied too soon. Great photos -- love the detail shots of the sporran too, thanks for sharing those with us. I guess that's the next best thing to being able to see something like that in person

Lucky you!

**shawhighlander** · 13th March 09, 11:56 AM

Believe it or not, my 80 year old friend heard how excited I was about the horsehair sporran, as I told him of my outfit for St. Patrick's Day, that he exclaimed: "Take it with you and wear it, Laddie!"

So, I actually get to wear that bit of history, which brilliantly tops off my semi-military outfit that I created. Here is a pic: